Saturday's Shelby County swimming championships at St. George's were for the birds. Literally.

The Owls of Memphis University School and the Turkeys from St. Mary's stood out in the biggest local meet of the year

Christian Berry was one of the standouts for the Owls, taking the 50-yard freestyle in a meet-record time of 20.76 and finishing second to Collierville standout Josh Walsh in the 100 free.

"I don't think you try to go out to set records," said Berry. "I just wanted to try and swim as fast as I could to help my team. I think (the difference in setting a record or not) comes down to guts. Who wants it more?"

No one wanted it more than Berry's teammate Jack McCaghren. He set meet records in both of his victories, taking the 50 butterfly (22.55) and the 100 butterfly (48.73). Parker Kaye also had two meet records for the Owls, winning the 50 breaststroke and the 100 breaststroke while Liam Kaltenborn doubled in the 100 and 200 IMs. Alex Robinson took the 500 free and the 100 backstroke.

Ben Williams, of Houston High School, competes in the Men's Open 100Y I.M. during prelims at the Shelby County Swimming Championship at St. George's Independent School's Compton Aquatic Center on Saturday morning.(Photo: Yalonda M. James/USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee)

Collierville's Walsh also had a stellar meet. The future Tennessee Volunteer broke his own county record in the winning the 200 freestyle in 1:39.34 before just beating out Berry in the 100 free in a time of 45.44. His efforts helped the Dragons win the combined boys-girls championship for the fourth straight year.

For St. Mary's, Kiara Norris doubled in the 100 butterfly and the 100 individual medley. Lauren Mabie placed first in the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke while Abbey Autry grabbed a victory in the 100 backstroke.

Swimming in her home pool, Sarah Thompson swept the 100 freestyle (52.01) and the 50 freestyle in a meet-record 23.31, the event in which she's the defending state champ. Germantown's Meredith Geyer won the 200 freestyle (1:53.69) and the 500 freestyle (5:05.47).

"Actually for me, the last 10 meters are the easiest part," she said. "I've been working a lot and I think this meet will set the tone for state."

Girls compete in the first heat of the Womens Open 400Y Free Relay during prelims at the Shelby County Swimming Championship at St. George's Independent School's Compton Aquatic Center on Saturday morning.(Photo: Yalonda M. James/USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee)

BROTHERS WIN REGION DUALS

CBHS is heading to next week's Division 2 state duals wrestling tournament as the region champion after polishing off Nashville Father Ryan, 40-24, in Saturday's final.

On Friday, Arlington won the AAA region championship for the third straight year to advance to the Division 1 tournament along with runner-up Houston. Caleb Morgan (113), Michael Cannon (120), Aaron Moore (182) and Jonathan Metcalf (heavyweight) won their matches by pin while Austin Antcliffe scored a 17-1 decision over Zach Holtz at 170 to lead the Tigers.

The state tournaments are Friday and Saturday in Franklin.

WADE STEPS DOWN

After turning Middle College's brand new football program into a playoff-caliber team in just two full seasons, Kendrick Wade is stepping down as head coach to pursue his dream of coaching in college.

The only coach in school history, Wade took the Bulldogs to the first round of the Class A playoffs in each of the last two seasons. Middle College finished 6-4 in 2015 and 6-5 in 2016. The team only played one varsity game in 2014, losing to Fayette-Ware.

Middle College and ECS are the two Shelby County schools currently looking for football coaches.

Reach Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas